[Launch Alert] Launch Visibility

[Launch Alert]

                             LAUNCH ALERT
 				  
                              Brian Webb
                     Ventura County, California
                  launch-alert-editor at earthlink.net
                     www.spacearchive.info
		       
				 2014 June 26 (Thursday) 19:47 PDT
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                     DELTA II LAUNCH VISIBILITY

Tuesday's early morning launch of a Delta II rocket from Vandenberg
AFB remains on schedule. The Delta is slated to lift off from Space
Launch Complex 2 West at 02:56:44 PDT (09:56:44 UTC), the start of a
30-second launch window. Following liftoff, the rocket will rise
vertically for several seconds, and then slowly pitch over and head
southward. Several minutes later, the Delta should place NASA's
Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 satellite into a polar orbit.

Since the launch occurs on a moonless night, the event could be
visible to the naked eye for hundreds of miles - perhaps as far away
as portions of Nevada, Arizona, and Mexico.

Just before liftoff, the Delta's first stage liquid propellant main
engine and three strap-on solid fuel rocket motors will ignite.
Observers in outlying areas (15 to 75 miles away) may see a flash on
the horizon from the direction of the pad, a few seconds of darkness,
and then a rising orange orb or "star". The brightness and color of
the Delta at this point will be largely due to the solid fuel motors'
brilliant orange flame.

At T+ 1 minute 4 seconds, the solid rocket motors will burnout and the
first stage will be powered solely by its liquid propellant main
engine. Since the liquid propellant engine produce a dimmer, colorless
flame compared to the solid rocket motors, the Delta will drop in
brightness and resemble a moving white star. 

Late into the first stage burn, observers in dark locations may see a
tenuous, elongated or jellyfish-like, exhaust plume from the main
engine. At T+ 4 minutes 24 seconds, the first stage main engine will
cut off and the vehicle will disappear. 

Several seconds later, the second stage will ignite and the rocket
will continue its gradual climb into orbit. For most naked eye
observers, however, the second stage burn will probably be invisible.

The visibility of the launch will depend almost entirely on the
weather. During the warmer months of the year, the weather in central
and southern California is fairly predictable. During the pre-dawn
hours, the coast and areas several miles inland are usually plagued by
fog or a layer of low clouds that extend up to about 1,500 to 2,000
feet (457 to 610 M) above sea level. However, at the same time,
California's interior tends to be clear.

Although the naked eye is adequate for viewing the launch, optical
assistance will provide a better view. Binocular are good, but
tripod-mounted binoculars are even better. An astronomical telescope
will give the best view and may provide a dynamic, surreal light show.

To view the launch, find a location that is as high as possible, has
an unobstructed horizon, and is far from city lights. Perhaps the best
place to watch would be a spot in the coastal mountains or hills
parallel to the rocket's flight path and high enough to be above any
coastal low clouds.

If you plan to drive to the mountains for the launch, allow yourself
plenty of time to get there and drive very carefully. Mountain roads
are dangerous and careless driving or parking can lead to tragedy.
Also, be aware of your surroundings after you get out of your vehicle.
I once had a small rattlesnake slither by me as I waited on top of a
mountain to view a launch.

For further information about viewing Vandenberg AFB rocket and
missile launches, go to the following Web page:

  www.spacearchive.info/vafbview.htm

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e-mails that I receive.

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Copyright 2014, Brian Webb. All rights reserved. No portion of this
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